Business Rural North Summer 2021

36 | Proven performance in both provinces Growbulk Ewes at Rosedale (above). Beltex Growbulk Ewe Lambs (below). Russell Fredric S trategy and structure within any farm busi- ness are the keys to success and nowhere is that more important than in breeding high quality rams, Rosedale Growbulk co-owner Don Morrison says. Don and his wife Brigette are passionate sheep farmers and industry innovators who farm an 8000 stock unit property in Waikaka Valley, Eastern Southland. A key part of the farm’s operation revolves around its Growbulk sheep stud comprising 2000 stud breeding ewes; Rosedale Growbulk was closely involved in the development of the breed during the 1990’s. Because of the extensive objective measure- ments Rosedale Romney Stud had been conducting for years, it was one of four breeders chosen by AgResearch in 1998 to evaluate Growbulk against their existing Romney flocks. The evidence - improved growth weights, lamb vigour and survivability, as well as an 8% increase in meat yield - was compelling. Don has now added the highly muscled Beltex, a Belgian-Texel cross as an option within his maternal Growbulk programme, to reflect the commercial opportunity of increased meat yield demand from a more efficient breeding ewe. Ray Stewart farmed Growbulks in Waimumu, Southland and Pongaroa, Wairarapa, for a total of 12 years and can testify to the performance in both provinces. He decided to take a punt on Growbulks on the Waimumu farm after hearing Don talk about them on a radio programme. “Their survivability was one trait that I really wanted. We could get some pretty bad weather there so I thought it was worth a try.” Over a period of three seasons his ewes went from 140% to 160% lambing as a result of produc- ing more twins and triplets. He subsequently moved his flock to Wairarapa and put Growbulk rams over the “pretty average” existing flock on the farm which carried a total of 7500 breeding ewes. “We just wanted to use them because I had such good results in Southland so why would I go away from them?” As well as having excellent survivability and tem- perament, the ewes were great mothers, Ray says. “That (mothering ability) showed up pretty soon after we started using them. As soon as the two tooths started coming through we knew there was something different.” Because they are also great milk producers they had no difficulty rearing triplets. The Rosedale breeding operation carries 2000 stud and 2000 commercial ewes, plus 1200 ewe hoggets and some cattle on 465ha and Don is look- ing forward to seeing the Beltex influence start to come through in both his Growbulk flocks. RURAL PEOPLE » Rosedale Growbulk “One of the most important things a stud-breeder has to do is remain relevant to clients, and a good part of that is understanding the economics right across the supply line, and making a prediction on what form of production will be relevant,” Don says. “We’re not just stud-breeders at Rosedale: we’re also focussed around what’s important to us as commercial farmers. “Twenty years ago we saw a huge lift in produc- tion from the Growbulk three-way composite, and now we see an opportunity in the shape of the Beltex breed for another major step forward.” “Their survivability was one trait that I really wanted. We could get some pretty bad weather there so I thought it was worth a try.” New Zealand’s Tastiest Pasture Fed Lamb from . growbulk .co.nz Call. 03 207 1857 or 0274 877 088 Don Morrison